tucson-filmstucson-filmshttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films.php
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 13:25:03 +0100FeedCreator 1.7.2HEAVY NOVAhttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/heavy-nova
<img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/HeavyNova.jpg" style="width:325px;"><br><a class="" href="http://peterleon.22slides.com/heavy-nova" target="_blank">HEAVY NOVA</a>, Peter Leon's ambitious sci-fi, comedy, murder mystery offers good production values, awesome animation sequences and special effects for a low-budget production.&nbsp; Audio was very good.&nbsp; Acting was good; Leon's stable of actors' performances are improving since <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/copper-creek" target="_blank">COPPER CREEK</a>.<br><br>From a spiritual point of view, the plot had some interesting things to say about trans-humanism, i.e., replacing humans with machines.&nbsp; In the future, Cerberus, a mining company, teams up with the US military for an off-planet mission along with a group of deep space miners (military-industrial-complex). It's interesting that the mining company is named Cerberus. Cerberus, from Greek mythology, was a three-headed dog that guarded Hades.&nbsp; Souls could get into Hades, but could never come out.&nbsp; So Cerberus, the mining company, has invited these miners to enter their world of which they may never get out alive. There is a cameo by the director acting as the company president.&nbsp; He denies the requests to abort the mission in spite of the rash of unexplained deaths (or murders?). Corporations are constantly trying to buy our souls; and those that get bought have a hard time coming back to a state of self-empowerment. (That's just my interpretation.)&nbsp; <br><br>As far as the joke writing goes, I am not the best person to review this kind of comedy.&nbsp; It is rare that a comedy makes me laugh unless it is a certain kind of dark comedy or something that breaks my boundaries. The jokes in HEAVY NOVA were the kind of jokes I might have laughed at when I was 14 years old.&nbsp; Penis, Gay sex and misogynistic jokes abound and kept me distracted from sinking into the plot.&nbsp; If these jokes were more about furthering the plot or deepening the character and had more space between them, I think they would have been more effective for me.<br><br>But I did thoroughly enjoy some of the commercials and episodes shown by the prop TV on the space ship.&nbsp; I liked "Spoiled Little Sh#ts" and the "Bark to Voice" commercial.<br><br><b>DVD EXTRAS</b>: There are plenty to enjoy.&nbsp; The "Making-of" featurette did not shy away from the hardships of independent filmmaking.&nbsp; In spite of these difficulties, it appeared that there was a light-hearted, fun-loving atmosphere on set.&nbsp; There were also personal moments shared, for example, when a couple of young boys interrupted Leon's interview on a playground.&nbsp; I was impressed with the director's kind and diplomatic interaction with them.&nbsp; But I was taken aback by some of the critical comments made by crew members regarding explicitly named film vendors.&nbsp; (Careful not to accidentally burn your film industry bridges while publicly making comments that may seem funny at the time, but would be better said in private.)<br><br>The "Special Effects Comparison" featurette was especially interesting in
terms of seeing the effectiveness of the green screen effects.<br><br>I think Leon has enough chops now to direct some great writing with seasoned actors.&nbsp; But for those who like 14-year-old humor, you will get your fill with HEAVY NOVA.&nbsp; For more info, a trailer, and to purchase a DVD, visit the HEAVY NOVA website: <a class="" href="http://peterleon.22slides.com/heavy-nova" target="_blank">http://peterleon.22slides.com/heavy-nova</a><br>Thu, 26 Sep 2013 03:36:58 +0100ZHON: THE ALIEN INTERVIEWShttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/zhon-the-alien-interviews
<img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/Zhon.jpg" style="width:325px;"><br><a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/http://whoiszhon.com/index.php" target="new">Zhon: The Alien Interviews</a> is a webisode about an alien from another planet named Zhon, played by Robert Linden, who shows up at a US Secret Service office hoping to be interviewed by Amanda Bella, played by Alida Holguin Gunn, a beautiful host of a spiritual TV talk show.&nbsp; As a result he's kept in custody by Secret Service Agents, among them, Agent Killjoy, played by Eric Schumacher&nbsp; The agents are trying to determine if he really is an alien.&nbsp; They do allow Amanda Bella to interview him and the rest of the 22 episodes are the resulting interviews. I had the good fortune to attend the premiere of Zhon at the Screening Room and saw the first four episodes. <br><br>According to Zhon, he has been visiting our Earth for thousands of years. And in the process has been adding to and adjusting our culture; which is reminiscent of what conspiracy researchers and alternative history researchers have been saying about alien technology.&nbsp; Aliens have been among us for a long time.&nbsp; The writing is funny, clever and <b><i>mostly</i></b> <i><b>family friendly</b></i>. I do enjoy good comedy conspiracy writing. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the 22 episodes after they are finished being posting to the website. <br><br>The production values are very high considering it's a digitally shot webisode made mostly by experienced volunteer Tucson filmmakers. I love the beginning bumper of each episode; which was very stylish and could be mistaken for a "real" TV show.&nbsp; The low-budget special effects are clever as well.&nbsp; We see Zhon levitating, disappearing, moving really fast, as well as other super-human abilities.&nbsp; A great original soundtrack supports the funny quirky feel of this comedy webisode.<br><br>Robert Linden as Zhon and Eric Schumacher as Agent Killjoy, made a great acting team as well as a great producing team.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to watching the growth of their audience on the net.&nbsp; Entertaining. Check out the latest episode at <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/http://whoiszhon.com/index.php" target="new">http://whoiszhon.com</a>&nbsp; <br>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:20:30 +0100FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS: “THE GOLDEN GONGS” MAY 2012http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-“the-golden-gongs”-may-2012
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<p>MAY 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS (FFS) - GOLDEN GONGS YEAR-END
SHOWDOWN.</p>
<p>I was afraid I wouldn’t get a seat at the First Friday
Shorts’ (FFS) annual contest, so I arrived at 8:45pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The parking lot was almost full.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I met up with my Canadian friends, Ross and
Carol, who were my buddies at the 2012 Arizona International Film
Festival.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>We were all honored as
“super-fans” because we saw almost every single film at the fest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>My reviews will be coming out one by
one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>My excuse for my lateness is
slightly different this time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I caught a
sinus cold which turned into pink eye!! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>(Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the U
of A student film festivals, Magic Hour and I Dream in Widescreen or PCC
student film fest) I’m back in the saddle now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span></p>
<p>As we entered the theater, I noticed that the theater was
three-fourths full and slowly filling up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I also met my friend and temporary roommate, Kathy and her boyfriend,
Roger, who, by the way, laughed their butts off at all the shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The theater filled to capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I don’t know if anyone was turned away.</p>
<p>All the monthly winning shorts that were entered in the
Golden Gong portion of the show were excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>It was refreshing to see such high quality in the Golden Gongs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>In past years, I’ve been quite bored at the
Golden Gongs because of the low quality of shorts that won due to the
filmmakers’ posses’ shouting the loudest and therefore sounding like the
majority of the audience liked their entries.</p>
<p>Before the show started, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/">the
Loft</a> took the opportunity to run as many trailers for their <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/comingsoon">upcoming films</a> as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m especially looking forward
to seeing, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2987">MARLEY</a>, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/3018">BOY</a> , <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/3004">JUAN OF THE DEAD</a> (which should
have a lot of political sarcasm.), <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/3057">COMIC-CON
EPISODE IV: A FAN’S HOPE</a>, and especially Bob Goldthwait’s new film, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/3094">GOD BLESS AMERICA</a>.</p>
<p>Filler: (couldn’t find it.)</p>
<p>May 2011 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596xtSW6Lyo&amp;feature=player_embedded">9
TO FIRE</a> by Tom Smith <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/6th-annual-golden-gong-awards">(See
my previous review here.)</a> </p>
<p>June 2011 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/23093860">NICHE</a>
by Eva Julieta Alcazar <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-june-2011">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>July 2011 FFS Winner:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAoIChpI0qc">EPISODE X</a> by
Jonathan Dineyazhe <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/july-2011-first-friday-shorts">(See
my previous review here.)</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Review
Update: I found the link to <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAoIChpI0qc">Episode
X</a>!</p>
<p>August 2011 FFS Winner:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>(Tie)</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1477915285830&amp;subj=1772200219">HYPNO
WINK</a> by Ray C. Merrill <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/august-2011-first-friday-shorts">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=DRsA6twjuSk#%21">BLAMBLAMBLAM,
ClickClickClick</a> by Jaz Garewal <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/august-2011-first-friday-shorts">(See
my previous review here.)</a> Review update: It was great seeing it a 2<sup>nd</sup>
time; High production values and brilliant writing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>But I still don’t understand why the cops
shot Jeremy Conrad when they offered him to the hostage taker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Maybe I’ll find out when I start seeing the <a class="" href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/701650549/blamblamblam-clickclickclick-the-series">webisode</a>
this short introduces.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Best of luck on
this webisode; it looks like it’s going to be really good.</p>
<p>September 2011 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FbVm6A3nBg&amp;lr=1">WONDER BEE</a> by
Ari Grabb &amp; Jackie Hitchinson <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-sept-2011">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>October 2011 FFS Winner: <u>HI-FI ALIBI</u> by Everett Forbes <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-sept-2011">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>November 2011 FFS Winner <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal">AND WINNER OF THE 2012 GOLDEN GONGS</b>: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnLy9wWrwto&amp;feature=player_embedded">WRONG
PLACE</a> by Josh Weisman &amp; Mike O’Dea <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/magic-hour">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>December 2011 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYUvu3BtDaA">MY LIFE HAD STOOD – A LOADED
GUN</a> by Rio Finnegan <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-december-2011">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>January 2012 FFS Winner:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>(Tie)</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/34757207">MANUSCRIPT</a> by Dane
Haiken <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-january-2012">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAtzN_ScKXY">WHIPSNAKE</a>
by Owen Rose <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-january-2012">(See
my previous review here.) </a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>Review
Update: Turns out Owen Rose must have been in the bathroom during voting,
because fortunately someone was there to receive the prize.</p>
<p>February 2012 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=8d3SMxK40YQ">STRYREECHLINSTRAL</a>
&amp; <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP9B3NBFD2M&amp;feature=player_embedded#%21">PANACEA</a>
by Owen Rose <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-february-2012">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>March 2012 FFS Winner: SHENANIGANS by Matt Sisson <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-march-2012">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>April 2012 FFS Winner: <a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/37042960">SEX,
DRUGS AND JUMPSTYLE</a> by Ari Grabb <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/april-2012-first-friday-shorts">(See
my previous review here.)</a></p>
<p>INTERMISSION (Couldn’t find any of the fillers.):</p>
<p></p><p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nITLob098W8">Vytautas
Mineral Water</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXUvY8Jk-Y">ARTIFICIAL</a>,
by Greg Mannino, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">(WINNER OF THE JUNE
2012 FFS)</b> is a dramatic sci-fi short which looks like it could be an
introduction to a feature or series.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>High production values support this story of a scientist who seems to be
creating or resurrecting his son by implanting metal parts into the fleshy
body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The gore effects were convincing.
To complicate issues, a dept collector comes crashing through the door and
shoots the scientist.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>At this point, the
audience started gonging the short which made me wonder this month’s audience
was populated by sensitive souls.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>More
evidence of this came when the audience stopped gonging as the young man with
the mechanical parts woke up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s so
hard to sink into a short when everyone is gonging it; but ultimately it was
not officially gonged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I was impressed
and would like to see this again, especially any expansions or sequels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuZ_hPxpZro&amp;feature=player_embedded">PANDEMICAL</a>,
by Owen Rose, is another well-made pseudo-infomercial about fictional drugs and
their side-effects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s a lot like his
other fictional drug infomercials, but still gets a laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>When I woke up the next morning with pink
eye, I remembered Pandemical’s side-effect, “giant eye maggots” and was not
laughing very much.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Even though this was
really funny; I feel it is ultimately serious.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>All those side-effects like crotch coral, one really long tooth and
other symptoms, that I don’t think apply to women, indicate a change in DNA
caused by these kinds of drugs which could be true for real drugs! Great
subdued acting by comedian, Noel Rhodes.</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmlR5eG9zP4">Lamb
saying YEAH!</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/41593622">BOWSER &amp; JUNIOR</a>,
by Ari Grabb, is the story of a son bullying his father because of his taste in
cars and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>So many teens go
through a stage where they are embarrassed by their parents because of their
fashion sense or for just plain expressing themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It makes me cringe when I think about how the
younger generation tries to exert so much power over the self-expression of
their parents and older generations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Ultimately,
these kids are succumbing to their own peer pressure to conform, resulting in a
2-D world, full of flat landscapes and restricted movements, exemplified by the
arcade-videogame-type animation which characterizes this short.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>On the other hand, Bowser, the Dad, caved
into Junior’s demands to censor himself which didn’t set a good example for
following your heart instead of the herd.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I had some trouble understanding Junior, but it was a very interesting yet
disturbing experiment in Arcade game
animation.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-HINk0_F6Y&amp;list=UUeVBVgVyMQYRUhjmmafrqRw&amp;index=1&amp;feature=plcp">KNOWLEDGE
PASS IT ON</a>, by Jaz Garewal, is a set of 3 PSA’s made by Lt. Leo Darden, of <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=DRsA6twjuSk#%21">BLAMBLAMBLAM,
ClickClickClick</a> .<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>High production
values, very funny and great acting by Tony Eckstat!</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If3wzG43PD8">Chop
Chop</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiuU13LyzpA">POWER
VEGGIES</a>, by John Rustate, is a PSA/commercial for Food Conspiracy Coop in Tucson.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Animated <a class="" href="http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/">non-genetically modified fruits and
veggies</a>, agents of the Food Conspiracy Coop, save their brother, Pear, from
becoming genetically modified (GMO) by the evil corporation, Mutanto.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This good intro to <a class="" href="http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/about-gmos.html">GMO foods</a>, could have
stated more powerful reasons for not eating GMO foods and eating organic foods
provided by the Food Conspiracy Coop.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>It’s amazing that people still don’t know why GMO foods are bad for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>But having said that, it was a fun
commercial for those who already know about GMO foods, but didn’t know about
the Food Conspiracy Coop. Good 2-D animation!</p><p>Until Next time!</p><p>P.S. I'm looking for people to help me review local films.&nbsp; There are so many, I get overwhelmed.&nbsp; If interested, feel free to email me at spiritualmoviereviews@gmail.com<br></p>
<br>Sun, 20 May 2012 20:17:25 +0100APRIL 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTShttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/april-2012-first-friday-shorts
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<p>APRIL 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS (FFS)</p>
<p>I arrived soon after 9pm and quickly got my hand stamped
(once you pay for your ticket to the FFS, you get a stamp on your hand like in
a bar or a rock show) and looked around for Max to ask him about entering our <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/CowtownGypsyCinema">Cowtown Gypsy Cinema</a>
sketches to FFS; hence my delay in getting my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The theater was almost completely full (about
5/6<sup>th</sup>’s).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I got my seat just
as the show began.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Max Cannon and
Michael Sterner were both in attendance.</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3IGfwcGBP8">An
Honest First Date (Tosh.0)</a></p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2071711330360&amp;set=t.1143236045&amp;type=3&amp;theater" target="new">QUESTIONS</a>,</u> (sequel to <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1625902785425&amp;set=t.1772200219&amp;type=2&amp;theater">Questions?</a>)
by Ray C. Merrill, was <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-december-2011">much
like the first “Questions?”</a> documentary, only this time, the answer is
“Facebook.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>We see Ray in the Tucson's Hurricane
Hooka Lounge and all over downtown Tucson,
asking young Tucsonans, questions that have the
obvious answer, “Facebook.” I found this episode cleverer and cuter than the first.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kudos to <a class="" href="http://pjgmusic.com/">Peter
Gorritz</a> who did the music soundtrack.</p>
<p><u>THE CORN </u>by Casey Numetko is a charming and very
short documentary about <a class="" href="http://cowboykettlecorn.net/gallery.htm">Steve
Shaw’s Cowboy Kettle Corn</a> booth at a fair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Somewhat educational and artistic with very red lighting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Would like to see this one again.</p>
<p><u>Z-DAY</u> by Daniel Ramirez, at first looks like a
typical locally made action zombie flick, but has a great twist at the end that
lifts it far above the average.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Good
gun-shooting special effects, good audio and editing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Michael Sterner said the zombie killers’
Toyota Camry, was a badass car! (ha ha)</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQMO6vjmkyI">Fresh
Guacamole - Pes</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmj6o1Ii0xw">SQUEAL</a>
by Ron Trujillo is an extremely short film, very reminiscent of Deliverance. The
analogy sets up the tension and gives way to a funny cliffhanger ending.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great dark suspense lighting and audio.</p>
<p><u>WW (?)</u> by Matthew Sisson – a violent interrogation
that ends up with the ultimate question, “Where’s Waldo?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Not funny to me at first due to my growing
sensitive nature, but that famous question certainly broke the seriousness of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This violence-loving audience really
liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Effective!</p>
<p><u>THE HORROR</u> by Greg Lyons was a thriller showing two
guys outside at night, looking for a cat, I think?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Some good FX moments with ghostly figures
assaulted the viewer against grainy video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>The audience was gonging, but Max let it play.</p>
<p><u>BATTLE</u><u>,
</u>by Daniel Storm, looked like a fun home movie of a father (?) and son (?)
having a light saber fight at night against a Star Wars-type soundtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The ending was abrupt and Michael Sterner made
an intentionally incoherent comment about the short.</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPyN6IK1tM">External
World (first half)</a></p>
<p>INTERMISSION (From what I could find):</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvweO88RwBY">Cat takes
revenge on kid</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfdqPutk5Y">Good
Books Great Writer Series – Metamorphosis</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/34772300">Beetlecam is Back</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2GXR5F6eh8">Zombie Ass
– Toilet of the Dead – Trailer</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D05ej8u-gU">The
Most Astounding Fact of the Universe</a></p>
<p>Filler (after Intermission) <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPyN6IK1tM">External World (last half)</a></p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://www.imdb.com/video/demo_reel/vi473670425/">4
ACES</a>,</u> by Al Graham, showed a
professional magician (Gary J. Husson) doing a card trick called the Four Aces.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This appeared to be part of a documentary
series called, “Stars of Magic” which will showcase Tucson magicians. The FFS audience comically
feigned their amazement, even though it was a good card trick. Good
cinematography of the trick.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-GREsMWNDg">THE
WEEKND- HOUSE OF BALLOONS (Fan Video)</a>, by Ryan O’Sullivan, is an animated
music video using kind of a stop-motion technique with 2-D paper cutouts of
bunny men characters.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The story about
bunny people at a party with a live band had some good writing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The audience tried to gong it, but Max let it
run.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Afterwards, he strongly suggested
shortening it and I have to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Animation lighting needs work, but the short has potential, especially
with the writing.</p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1gusAIRN8M">Jedi
Cat VS Pitbull</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/37042960">SEX, DRUGS AND JUMPSTYLE</a>,
by Ari Grabb, was even better the second time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>The first time I saw it was at the <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/what%E2%80%99s-up-docz-2011">WHAT’S
UP DOCZ</a> student screening in Dec’11.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>There’s not that much to add, except that on second viewing I really
appreciated the cinematography (camera work by Gabriel Acosta and CJ Sundstrom)
and editing even more.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great work and
the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">WINNER OF THE APRIL FFS!</b></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E52XNZoU6sQ">THE FRENCH
WEDGE</a>, by Owen Rose, is another hilarious infomercial staring “Steve
Climber, the Ultimate Outdoors Enthusiast.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>This one is about durable French-cut underwear suitable for hiking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Excellent!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I’m sure <a class="" href="http://rhodesandrose.com/">Owen Rose and his
filmmaking partner, Noel Rhodes</a> could sell lots if they made a “real”
infomercial.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snwL8p_zbeM">A
GRINGO LIKE ME</a>, presented by Andrew Foster, is a music video to the song,
“A Gringo Like Me” by Ennio Morricone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>We see a cowboy who doesn’t really have the feel of a classic cowboy,
acting out artistically with his gun. The actor was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The credits are not very complete on this
short, so I’m not sure who did what.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>In
any case, the cinematography and editing were great.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QMBHzlwaDg">SPENCER
SPENCE</a>, by Grant Hunker, is an audience-participation short where the
audience can pick one of three endings for each section.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The FFS audience was only allowed one choice
per section and predictably picked the most extreme of the choices.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The star of the show, Spencer Spence, was
great.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I found the stories themselves a
bit over-the-top to the point of being grossly silly, but the cinematography
and editing were very good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I want to
see it again so I can experience all the endings.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Fun concept!</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/38413126">CLEAN DAT SHIT</a>, by
Mike Williamson &amp; Tad Sallee,
was a parody of sexy girls washing cars.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>The difference is that two (not-yet-but-soon-to-be-beefcake-looking)
guys acted sexy while washing their trucks to a hip hop soundtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great shots of the guys playing with hoses
spewing water and striking sexy poses by their muscle trucks made this a
hilarious music video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice
cinematography and editing. Need better credits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Who were the guys and who did the camerawork
and editing?</p><p>Until next time!<br></p>
<br>Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:37:19 +0100AZ 100 INDIE FILMhttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/az-100-indie-film
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<p><img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/AZCentenial.png"></p><p>AZ 100 INDIE FILM is a celebration of the Arizona Centennial
showing the best of 100 short films made in Tucson.&nbsp; It was hosted by the <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/tucsonfilm" target="new">Screening Room</a> and featured entries from past years at the <a class="" href="http://www.filmfestivalarizona.com/" target="new">Arizona International Film Festival</a>.<br></p>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXTlRmuHW3M">METAMORA</a>
by Keisha Richardson is playful stop-motion animation showing the 2-D journey
of a star over various simple landscapes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Great background music sets the stage for this simple, yet entertaining
short.</p><img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/not2btoyedwith.jpg" style="width:325px;">
<p><a class="" href="http://www.not2btoyedwith.com/Main.html">NOT 2B
TOYED WITH</a>, by Steve Bayless, is a Tucson
classic short about Troy,
a collector of Star Wars action figures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>He keeps them in their original packaging unopened to keep their resale
value high.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>One day his sister arrives
on his doorstep to drop off his nephew so Troy
can babysit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The inquisitive nephew, not
understanding the investment value of these “toys”…well, I think you can
imagine the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice acting,
cinematography and editing.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1754547/">STORYTIME
FABLES</a> by Brendan Guy Murphy - See my review <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/2011-az-international-film-fest/arizona-shorts">here</a>.</p><img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/capturethe%20flag.jpg" style="width:325px;">
<p><a class="" href="http://www.capturetheflagthefilm.com/">CAPTURE THE
FLAG</a>, by Lisanne Skyler, is a coming-of-age story about a young teenage girl
on summer vacation; playing Capture the Flag with extended family out in the
forest in upstate New York.
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>She’s emotionally processing the recent
divorce of her parents. During the game, she often gets to watch the games
adults play.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>High production values,
excellent acting and directing made this a very engaging and watchable film. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span><a class="" href="http://www.indiepixfilms.com/film/5173">Watch the film here</a>.</p>
<p><u>DREAM FRIEND</u> by <a class="" href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/annina-lavee/9/bb/14a">Aninna Lavee</a> is a
touching and spiritual take on grieving the loss of a loved one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>A mother is having a conversation with her
daughter that is sometimes playful, sometimes emotionally revealing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>As the conversation progresses, we realize the
mother is speaking with either the spirit or the memory of her daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The story takes place outside in a
garden-like setting which gave the story a gentle, loving feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice cinematography, editing and acting.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/23093860">NICHE</a> by Eva Alcazar
– See my review <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-june-2011">here</a>.</p>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqXb8o7VthE">THE COMMUTE</a>
by John Sheedy is an ironic story of two people from completely different walks
of life going to work.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>One is a migrant
worker crossing the border on foot and on the back of a truck to fill a job. The
other is a white-collar worker in middle-management driving a comfortable car
on the freeway.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great cinematography and
soundtrack showed a more claustrophobic feeling for the white-color worker and
a more open, uncertain feeling for the migrant worker. Nice twist at the end.</p><img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/onaclearday.jpg">
<p><a class="" href="http://www.myspace.com/onacleardaymovie/videos">ON
A CLEAR DAY</a>, by Alan Williams, is a complex story about the trials and
tribulations of having a home on the US/Mexico border.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Frank is an older rancher married to Rosa who wants to have a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>A young Hispanic boy, Hector, crosses the
border and ends up at on Rosa’s doorstep. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>Rosa wants to
keep him, Frank doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Hector
surprises them both when he starts to open up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>A well-acted story of retribution, family, and life changes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596xtSW6Lyo">NINE
TO FIRE</a>, by Tom Smith, is a great animation I’ve seen a gazillion
times!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>See my review <a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/6th-annual-golden-gong-awards">here</a>.</p>
<p><a class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbX4DXYw78k">STASIS</a>,
by Grant Nelson, is an experimental film deftly showing the terror associated
with approaching the opposite sex.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The effective
soundtrack and editing gave this very short film a visceral experience.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://lockedhornsproductions.com/2011/08/28/fallout/">FALLOUT</a> by
Paul DeNigris is a stylish sci-fi action war story set in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Terrific cinematography and CGI special
effects make this a pleasurable experience for fans of shoot’em up, apocalyptic
action films with lots of big guns.</p><img class="yui-img" src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/OutskirtsWebART2009.jpg" style="width:325px;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><a class="" href="http://arivacafilmexpo2009.blogspot.com/2008/08/outskirts-of-infinity.html">THE
OUTSKIRTS OF INFINITY</a>, by Bart Santello, is an experimental film
intercutting footage of a location in Ruby, AZ circa 1939’s with footage of Ruby,
AZ in present day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The beginning showed
the past compared to a lonely, desolate present with some dark and depressing
images supported by ominous ethereal background music. Then shots of bat
migration and a happy man, played by Sun Dog, created an open hopeful feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The short ended in an exploration of a mine
shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Descending into the mineshaft,
dare I speculate, represented going within?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Great soundtrack, great shots and creative special effects filters created a
visceral, emotional journey</span>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:57:20 +0100AUTHENTIC PRODUCTIONS BEST OF 2011 FILM SCREENINGhttp://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/authentic-productions-best-of-2011-film-screening
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<p>On March 16, 2012, Authentic Productions, a local film
production company, which I would call a real film collective, presented
themselves to the Tucson
community by holding a <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFJ8sYIwfpw">screening
of some of their works</a> at the <a class="" href="http://www.movievalue.com/crossroads.shtml">Crossroads Cinema</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Their event included a red carpet photo shoot
complete with professional photographers and a meet-and-greet with the cast and
crew of the featured shorts before the screening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It was glitz and glamor Tucson style. </p>
<p>I’ve been following <a class="" href="http://www.wix.com/authenticproductions/ap">Authentic Productions’</a>
work since I reviewed S.O.L., their first big Tucson premiere.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>From their shorts, I can see their greatest
strength and talent is in cinematography and editing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The only gripe I have is with the uneven
audio levels with dialogue; in spite of that, the soundtracks and audio effects
have excellent sound quality.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Their promos demonstrate great improvement in that
area, so the future looks bright for Authentic Productions.</p>
<p><u>PROMOS</u>: <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>These commercials
and trailers all had very good production values, including good audio
throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKpMNWRuExA&amp;list=PLD79FB3C09737C41F&amp;index=7&amp;feature=plcp">STEP
UP TO THE MICROPHONE</a> was especially impressive; and was directed by Yuri Machado and Sal
Martino and starred Kassey Frazier, who delivered an excellent performance.</p>
<p><u>LIONHEARTED</u>, written and directed by Tim Marin is a
very short action-drama in an apocalyptic setting about a family who, soon
after seeing the father off to war, experiences great devastation that turns
their world into a Mad Max scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The
acting was very good, especially the young boy who played the stoic young
son.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This disturbingly plausible story
went by really fast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I could easily see
it as a longer piece that gets more into the plot details.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Showing production stills during the credits
was a nice touch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><u>THE ELEVATOR</u>, written and directed by Zacharia Lorenz,
has been on the festival circuit and won awards at UofA campus festivals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This very charming story of a white–collar
guy, falling in love with a young woman he meets in the elevator, has a very
clever twist.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice acting.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqTX89SWsxA&amp;feature=plcp&amp;context=C4e62617VDvjVQa1PpcFPlqIBzWIFBZY_1fbu_HTjkyii35uogsTI%3D">IS
BLAKE A DOUCHE?</a>, written and directed by Daniel Geffre, is a pseudo-news
piece that investigates the character of Blake, a mysterious guy we never
really get to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The reporter, played
by Daniel Geffre, interviews various characters who may know whether or not
Blake, is in fact, a douche.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Many of the
“interviews” were very funny and had great comedic timing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice graphics made you feel like you were
watching the news on TV.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGCZOMnztE">S.O.L. </a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span><a class="" href="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/s-o-l-">See
my review here.</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuXekALs0lg">BEHIND
THE SCENES OF S.O.L.</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I really liked
the professional-looking quality of this behind the scenes documentary.</p>
<p>All the best, to Authentic Productions, LLC!</p>
Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:36:48 +0100FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS MARCH 2012http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-march-2012
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<p>MARCH 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS (FFS)</p>
<p>I arrived at 8:48pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>It was cold outside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The theater
looked three-fourths to 5/8 full.</p>
<p>A mass of Loft previews were shown: <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/becomeamember">Membership commercial</a>, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/rockyhorror">Rocky Horror</a>, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2774">Solaris</a> (original), Police
Women, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2844">Finding Joe</a> (just
incase there were some introspective people in the audience?), <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2927">Intruder</a> (I’ve got to see this
one with Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell), <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2930">The Princess Bride</a> (How many
times are they going to show this?), <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2860">We Need to Talk About Kevin</a>, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2846">Kill List</a>, Space Mutiny, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2899">Hollywood Hellraisers</a> series, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2951">Night of the Living Dead</a>, <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2884">Battle Royal</a>, Hair Metal Sing
a-long, and <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/node/2840">Tim &amp; Eric’s
Billion Dollar Movie</a>.</p>
<p>Max Cannon and Michael Sterner were both in attendance and
explained the <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/firstfridayshorts">Rules of
the First Friday Shorts</a> but forgot to give the audience gonging practice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Instead they talked about crushing the dreams
of local filmmakers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This raised a red
flag for me and I later realized that there were only four entries this
month.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I want to say that I plan to
enter a few shorts in April, or more likely, May of this year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>At the time of this writing I’m on post-production
of an internet TV show, which I will announce soon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The FFS will be our non-virtual
premiere.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-zbkos8GxA">Stinky
Penis</a></p>
<p><u>SHENANIGANS </u>by Matt Sisson, was THE WINNER of the
First Friday Shorts (FFS) March 2012 edition!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>This is a funny video showing Matt doing all kinds of action stunts
outside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The slow motion effects brought
the short up to an almost artistic level.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>When’s this going to be uploaded?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I need to see it again. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/251fa6410b/women-s-health-experts-speak-out?playlist=featured_videos">Women’s
Health Experts Speak Out</a></p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZfmPREbTd8">Something</a></p>
<p><u>INTRO TO HALLOWEEN SHOW</u> by Josh Wiseman is a story
about two guys in drag who are wandering around downtown Tucson at night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>“Shasha”’s boobs looked like they were
falling down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>She soon became a victim
of a horrible murder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great acting from
Shasha’s partner and nice cinematography for the most part.</p>
<p>INTERMISSION (From what I could find):</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G8iECWpDAw">Wisdom
Teeth#2 Nina123</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqCBDbsiKS4&amp;feature=related">Zodiac
Animals</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEpfyBOdKxU">Gotye –
Easy Way Out – Official Video</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrsufTFW0l8&amp;list=UUQ2B4dOQfLbUVxrFPhjGe-w&amp;index=22&amp;feature=plcp">STEG
PRONGSTEN BATTLES KELP</a>, by Owen Rose, is a silly story with good production
values about Steg Prongsten who is training on the beach in preparation to do
battle with aggressive kelp.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Clever
low-budget special effects for the kelp monsters were pretty funny.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Steg’s poor posture and unusual jogging style
gave parts of the film a surreal quality.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Nice cinematography and good voice-over.</p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/nyholmfanpage?sk=app_153108528115323">Las Palmas</a>
in its entirety! (unfortunately does not seem to be available right now)</p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnxT0J7JtCQ">HOT
DOGS</a>,</u> by Mariella Morton, is like an art video which consists of a
close-up of shriveled hot dogs on a rotating grill, the kind you see at a food
mart at a gas station.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Mariella suggests
that her short would inspire people to become vegans, but I’ve seen soy hot
dogs shrivel up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Soy’s bad for you now
because of all the chemical agricultural processes used to grow it; even the
organic version is bad for you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>So ALL
hot dogs are bad for you, WAHHHH!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice
lighting and cinematography, but needs work on the story line.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It was too boring for my friend’s cat to
watch.</p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-kSKVa8Tfc&amp;ob=av5e">8 Bits</a></p>
<p>Well, that’s all until April!</p>
Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:42:30 +0100FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS - FEBRUARY 2012http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-february-2012
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<p>FEBRUARY 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS (FFS)</p>
<p>All the trailers for <a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/comingsoon">the Loft</a> films must have been
shown before the show started.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I got
there just on time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The theater looked 3/4
to 5/8 full.</p>
<p>Due to some technical difficulties, the audience was asked
to sing the <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i-L3YTeJJM">Ma Na Ma Na
song</a> until the sound system was fixed. </p>
<p>For Valentine’s day, the FFS annual special event was played
out where three males and three females were chosen from the audience to have
blind dates with each other which consisted of <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>being matched into three couples and having them sit
in the front row.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The Loft supplied them
with free concessions. NICE!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>As the
evening progressed, one of the females made comments that the audience didn’t
like and she stormed out of the theater, leaving her date behind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>That was the first bit of drama I’d ever seen
at that Valentine’s Day dating game.</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf98HzGeKVs&amp;feature=fvst">Tennis Ball
(Jon Lajoie)</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/firstfridayshorts">Rules
of the First Friday Shorts</a></p>
<p><u>NEW CLICHES</u> by Ellie (last name?)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This film was officially gonged so I didn’t
get to see the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It looked
like a romantic short that turned into a music video.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice cinematography and good acting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I’d like to see it again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Michael Sterner did bring up a concern I had
about one of the actresses using a highlighter to apply her lipstick.</p>
<p>Filler: (couldn’t find it)</p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jX2KT7AMY&amp;list=UUQ2B4dOQfLbUVxrFPhjGe-w&amp;index=18&amp;feature=plcp">STRYREECHLINSTRAL
and PANACEA</a> </u>by Owen Rose, WINNER OF THE FEBRUARY 2012 FFS, is a parody
of TV drug commercials.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This must have
been edited especially for the FFS.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I
could only find the above video which contains both commercials plus other
commercials for other drugs and legal services to deal with the drug side
effects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Nice cinematography, editing,
great writing and acting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The voice-over
narration was professionally delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>You may think the long list of impossibly obscure diseases presented
was laughably ridiculous, but think again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>There are lots of new strange diseases coming up quite possibly from
prescription drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>(I’ll get off my
soap box now.)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Highly recommended.</p>
<p>Filler: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js3BYcHmBhE">“Rick
Santorum” – A BLR Soundbite</a></p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/36199272">JUSTIN AND HIS DAD
X-MAS SPECIAL 2</a> </u>by Ari Grabb is the continuing <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QzVBbCmEc0">saga</a> of Justin and the
evolving relationship with his Dad and their quest to win the annual father-son
sled contest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>In spite of the black and
white 2-D almost stop-motion animation, the story is richly told and the
artwork extremely expressive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The sequel
contains new elements not shown in the original short, including moments of
color and Justin’s sister, Hanna, who is a dark being like the ones that are
sometimes born into unsuspecting loving families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>(In my family, it was the other way around.) This
is not just an action short, but an uplifting emotional examination of a
father-son relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I was reminded
that some parents can be so emotionally fragile.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It brought a tear to my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Makes you wonder if the story is at least
partly autobiographical.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Highly
recommended.</p>
<p><u><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv4Wmqarpuc">DAVE’S
COOL DRIVING SCHOOL</a> , </u>by Tim Lavoie, is an infomercial about driving
lessons given by a guy named Dave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Lavoie is so famous for his fictional instructional videos, that when
Max mentioned his name, the crowd gave him a standing ovation before his video
screened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Alas, this video did not win
for February’12.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great acting -
especially by “Dave” and nicely edited opening with good special effects really
shows what you could be getting into with Dave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Nice soundtrack, instructional editing &amp; instructional cinematography.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Lots of free tips, I learned a lot!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Highly recommended.</p>
<p>INTERMISSION:</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6IO_x3L53c&amp;feature=related">Schenectady</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK_jDA3qrUU">VD is
for Everybody</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNYOEgMeSvM">How to
Pronounce NG</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwG5CnrwRQI">Superman
Goes the Wrong Way</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj1M36kdxH0">How to
Pronounce Zach Galifianakis</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Yt2QPCloI">EZ
Swords</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRzUlCWsb-8">Chimpanzee
on a Segway (In the Sun)</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax2ENJjY6Wg">Beautiful
Day at the Dog Park</a> – My Favorite!</p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUDG3Ze8w_0">The
Legend of Beaver Dam</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZdYMmVcZto&amp;feature=results_video&amp;lr=1&amp;ob=0">SPACE
CADETS</a> by William Elizondo started out with the promise of an artistic
video with stop-motion animation of spaceman action figures, but degenerated
into a story of druggies playing with spaceman action figures in their home and
two NARC’s busting in on them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Poor
audio and poor lighting prevented me from seeing the deeper aspects of the
story, but there was some good acting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It
looked like it was filmed on videotape; so it must have been a really old
production.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This short was officially
gonged. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>If you click on the link above,
you get to see the whole short and my favorite part - a real chicken playing
the organ (starts at 3:38).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osgz505zbeY&amp;feature=fvst">Road Rage</a></p>
<p><u>CELL PHONES,</u> by Jennifer Finley, is a PSA for turning
off your cell phones in the theater acted out by stop-motion animation and
stuffed puppets or stuffed animals used as puppets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Very short!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I need to see this one again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Unfortunately,
I don’t think this PSA would inspire me to turn off my cell phone.</p>
<p>Filler – <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVMziCNFF1I&amp;feature=related">Nicolas
Cage Sankyo Pachinko Ad</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>(I think
this is the one.)</p>
<p><u>FELINE AIDS PSA</u> presented by Trevor Jones (not the
director) I found to be an entertaining parody of an AIDS PSA for cats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>In spite of the bad lighting and uneven
audio, I thought it was clever and funny.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Nice acting too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Where is it
online?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I’d like to see it again.</p><p>See you next month!<br></p><p></p><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">&nbsp;</b></p>
<br>Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:11:37 +0100FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS - JANUARY 2012http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/first-friday-shorts-january-2012
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<![endif]--><br>JANUARY 2012 FIRST FRIDAY SHORTS (FFS)
<p>The Loft Theater was packed and so was the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I had to find parking on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Michael Sterner was “UNWELL” as Max Cannon
put it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>He also introduced the New Year
as the “Beginning of Oblivion.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Now I
see where he goes on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Personally, I think it’s going to be a great year for people who are
awake enough to see opportunity amidst the crashing of our evil systems and corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Well, enough of that internet trash talk.</p>
<p>I also found that the January’12 FFS audience was strangely
sensitive to sexual situations and discussions about anything below the
belt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ll give you some examples later
on.</p>
<p>Filler shorts before the show started: I couldn’t find them.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.loftcinema.com/firstfridayshorts">Rules
of the First Friday Shorts</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.myspace.com/video/big-shot-studios-hd/quot-frank-quot-48-hour-challenge/6664227">FRANK</a>,
written and produced by Robert Jaime, Big Shot Studios, was extremely
funny.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>It was a cleverly told tale of a nerdy
exterminator, Frank, who fantasizes that he is the James Bond of exterminators,
saving the beautiful women customers from their dangerous insect and rodent
pests with all kinds of sexy weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Great visuals and cinematography made it very clear what was reality and
what was Frank’s fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>From a
spiritual perspective, it was nice to see that reality was in color and fantasy
was in black and white.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Reality is
ultimately much more vibrant than fantasy if you give it a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Really excellent for a 48-hour film
challenge!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The FFS audience actually
cheered! Highly recommended!</p>
<p><u>SAM &amp; AUSTIN PERFORM SOME CRAZY STUNTS FOR YOU</u> by
Sam Lonius looked like a homemade video made by two really young (maybe 8-year-olds
or younger) boys, sometimes utilizing the night vision function on their
camera.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I gathered that Sam was the
camera guy and Austin
was the star.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>They showed step by step a
stunt that they were going to attempt that night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The stunt was to pee over a very high wall
into their neighbor’s yard.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>They accomplished
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Shockingly amazing and well-organized
short documentary.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I can see a future
for them on reality TV.</p>
<p><u>PROTEST CONTEST</u>, co-written and directed by Alex
Italics and produced and co-written by David Neff, shows the dark side of
protest movements. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>I found this film to
be a shocking and controversial story of a guy who wants to win a contest to be
the most influential anti-war speaker at his local rally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The short used a silent film style; no
dialogue, all told through visuals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The
acting was fantastic and the editing and excellent cinematography by Oscar
Rivera were extremely effective at telling this creepy, sarcastic story.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I felt like I was watching Access Hollywood infiltrates
the occupy movement (which is secretly populated by blood thirsty yuppies) in
Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I won’t
give away the ending, but you won’t be able to see it until it’s off the film
festival circuit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Maybe it will be
playing at the AZ Int’l Film Fest?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This
short was too much for the FFS audience who seemed to gong it in agony. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>It was almost as if they were begging for it
to be stopped, but thank God I got to see the end.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span></p>
<p>Filler: Fail Compilation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>There are scads of these videos on YouTube, but I couldn’t find the one
Max used.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Max also used PROTEST CONTEST
as a segue way into this filler short about people failing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>How could you, Max?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I thought you were a defender of dark art?</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dZO-GVifwI&amp;list=UUhW17_NzpQuJIk1G0fDAExw&amp;index=1&amp;feature=plcp">HUG
COLLECTOR</a>, by Diana Stapleton, is a black and white art video showing old
photos of a woman holding a child in Winter and a family photo at the beach
with videos super-imposed over them of Diana giving herself hugs and some
pornographic material that is hard to see unless you look closely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The soundtrack is a voice-over of Diana
reciting an essay about the dysfunctionality of her mother’s hugs and an
examination of her sexual relationships throughout her life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The recitation is played in slow motion (I’m
not sure that’s the correct term.). At first I thought it was someone else;
maybe a young homosexual male reciting this prose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The audience exploded in gonging before 3
minutes when the short showed the photo of the family in swimsuits. The camera’s
focus was on the crotch of the father’s swimsuit while sex with strangers was
being discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>When seeing this short
in the quiet and comfort of my own home, it was not the shocking moment that
the audience made it out to be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>A lot of
uncomfortable intimate situations which a lot of us share were expressed in
this short, but maybe saying them out and our own suggestibility made it all
the more uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Way to go,
Diana, for deeply triggering a mostly unconscious audience!</p>
<p><u>SHEEP SUPER</u> <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>(Do I have the right spelling?) by Joke
Harmonica is a great art short showing footage of the FFS audience at seat
level with a homemade punk soundtrack. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>The
punk soundtrack gave the footage a great feel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Wish I could find this. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>I’d watch
it over and over again.</p>
<p><u>MAN’S BEST FRIEND</u> by Lopez Montego tells the story of
a guy looking for his dog who is actually a guy dressed up as a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I enjoyed the soundtrack which sounded like
my favorite folk guitarist, Leo Kottke.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>The plot meandered; Guy-dog goes to a bar while his “owner” puts up “Lost”
posters; they wander around until they find each other, then they go to the
park and have a nice reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t
quite get it, but it was supposed to be based on Wilford the Dog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>I couldn’t find Wilford the Dog or the Man’s
Best Friend short.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Not officially gonged
because it was saved by the bell.</p>
<p>INTERMISSION FILLER SHORTS (The ones I could find): </p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS12JTP4v9c&amp;feature=results_video&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PLCF22FB5BBC2DE4E3">James
Brown Miso Soup commercials</a> (couldn’t remember which one, so here’s a
playlist.)</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhu1_wMQmyE">Cat vs
Crocodile</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6kwUBrRjaM">Dating
Losers: Frustrated Video Dater – Blooper</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.everythingisterrible.com/2011/04/yellow-dino-pedo-hunter.html">Yellow
Dino: Pedo Hunter</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2MGWjgAgfo">Owners
– aka Occupy Your Head</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/24531013">DISTRACTIONS</a> by Ari
Grabb and Victoria Tulk is an oldie, but a goodie (uploaded 8 months ago) about
a guy trying to get his homework done, but there are animated beings having a
loud party in his desk drawer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>Expressive animation, nice lighting and art direction.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LsJe3a5W8&amp;feature=results_main&amp;playnext=1&amp;list=PLA7AA0414BCCF9F08">THE
BUSHY REPORT</a>: I didn’t catch the name of the person who entered this and no
name is on the short.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This was part 1 of
a pilot for an adult entertainment show situated in Marin County, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The hosts consisted of a couple of women
dressed suggestively with Bushy, a California
guy who’s not that young anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>They
sat around a bar table in a tropical restaurant setting telling sexy jokes that
weren’t that funny to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Maybe I’m not California enough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>There was a wall of constant gonging in spite
of the nudity shown on old stock footage during the show.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Officially gonged.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://vimeo.com/34757207">MANUSCRIPT</a> by Rusty
Camino (WINNER OF THE FFS JANUARY 2012!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>This entertaining black and white short showed Bruce who has writer’s
block and has five days to meet his agent’s deadline.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>We are taken through all the ways Bruce tries
to get himself to write, including some teasing nudity shots that are
hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The <a class="" href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/denouement">denouement</a> is fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Great acting by Blayne Ambrose as the writer,
great audio, cinematography and editing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span></p>
<p>Filler short: <a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Lmkm5EF5E">Guy on a Buffalo #2</a> (Is
this going to be the FFS classic?)</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAtzN_ScKXY">WHIPSNAKE</a>
by Owen Rose (Unfortunately disqualified because the director was a no-show).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This is an awesome infomercial for a
fictitious product (I think?); a really, really, really tall backpack that’s
flexible like a whip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>The audience was
cheering so loudly at the end; I thought there would be a standing
ovation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Entertainingly ridiculous; very
professional-looking and sounding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>Makes
me want to buy one!</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1S9PH-GrVQ">ZIP TIES</a>
by William Elizondo is a really rough-looking and roughly acted short about a
guy who has elimination problems, and whose girlfriend wants him to kick his
free-loading, porn-loving, best friend out of their apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>All the talk about elimination, sexual
self-love inspired by the internet, and sitting on the toilet drove the
audience to furiously gong it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This
audience was surprisingly sensitive.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;
</span>I’ve seen audiences in the past who would have made this the winner; not
that I would have voted for it. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>It was
officially gonged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>What we didn’t get to
see was the gag reel at the end, which was quite cute.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp; </span>This is a case where the DVD extras were
better than the film. </p>
<p>See you next month!</p>
Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:47:30 +0100WHAT’S UP DOCZ? 2011http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/tucson-films/what’s-up-docz-2011
<IMG class=yui-img src="http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/tucson-films/tag/resources/what" s-up-doc-web.jpg?><BR>I love a good documentary and I was excited to see 17 student documentary shorts from the U of A Junior Class of 2013 at the Loft Cinema.&nbsp; I was really impressed and learned ALOT!&nbsp; The choice of topics documented were awesome and many of them showcased hidden gems in Tucson.&nbsp; There's incredible work coming from the class of 2013.&nbsp; The U of A&nbsp; School of Theater, Film and Television is producing a race of super filmmakers.&nbsp; Many of them have won awards at the First Friday Shorts.<BR>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33575893">A Way With Words</A> directed by James Bonanno tells about the Stories That Soar, a&nbsp;program in Tucson that encourages kids from to write stories that are later made into a plays, acted and produced by local theater professionals.&nbsp; I learned that the Stories That Soar program really encourages creative expression that&nbsp;very often gets&nbsp;stifled in regular school.&nbsp; Excellent audio, great hand-held cinematography, great color and lighting.&nbsp; Also, very nice music soundtrack.&nbsp;&nbsp;Great interviews with the kids and the program director, Sharon O'Brien.&nbsp; Very inspirational!</P>
<P><A href="http://chamberofsounds.com/uncategorized/mini-documentary">Chamber of Sounds</A> directed by Gabe Acosta is an interview with musician/artist, Jamie Laboz, who experiments with sound and creates his own electronic instruments/(sound-art) devices.&nbsp; I learned that Tucson is the home to this sound artist who is getting critical acclaim in the music industry nation-wide. Nice use of demonstration footage to exemplify the instruments Acosta describes in the interview.&nbsp; Excellent audio, cinematography, editing and well-organized.</P>
<P><B><U>Occupy Tucson</U></B> directed by Haley McFeeley gave me a great view of Tucson's Occupy Movement from the comfort of my own seat at the Loft Cinema.&nbsp; I learned that there are a lot of dedicated activists in Tucson, some of whom I know personally.&nbsp; I also learned that the occupiers supplied food&nbsp;not only for themselves but also&nbsp;for the homeless that came by.&nbsp; Great interviews, nice clear audio and good picture.&nbsp; Is this on YouTube somewhere?</P>
<P><A href="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NSI66NJ0FsI">Finding John</A> directed by Victoria Tulk explores the disappearance of John Spira who went missing in the Chicago area in 2007.&nbsp; Even though this documentary short was only six minutes long, a lot of info was covered, creating a great basis for an investigative documentary.&nbsp; An in depth interview with John's sister, Stephanie, revealed the mysteries and emotional pain around his absence.&nbsp; Nicely organized, great audio, nice editing of b-roll, historical footage and assorted locations for interviews.&nbsp; </P>
<P><U><B>Mrs. Rabbi,</B></U> by Julia Van Valkenburg, uses interviews to tell the story of how her mother became a rabbi and also shows how she manifests her spirituality in her rabbinical activities.&nbsp; I learned that a non-Jewish woman can become a rabbi.&nbsp; Nicely organized documentary using phrases on a chalkboard as chapters.&nbsp; Good audio and cinematography.</P>
<P><U><B>Sunflowers Track the Light,</B></U> directed by Carlos Zamora, artistically shows a woman who experienced a suicide in her family and processed her grief through her painting.&nbsp; She moved into showing others how they can process their grief and other tough emotions through art.&nbsp; I learned that directing your negative energy into something positive, rather than talking it to death, can result in a very spiritual experience.&nbsp; Expressive background music, nice art, great cinematography and great editing&nbsp;led the viewer from a sense of darkness to light.</P>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33813929">Leit Ao Lifi</A>, directed by Cylan Shaffer, focuses on Sam Quinn, a U of A modern dance student who uses dance to get back to his inner core.&nbsp; I learned that there are two types of dancing, one where the dancer recreates a set of movements in a mathematical way and one where the dancer intuitively and instinctively moves to what he perceives in the music.&nbsp; The latter method can give a dancer a strong sense of freedom and self-empowerment but this can only happen if one surrenders to the moment.&nbsp; This was a wonderful interview which gave great insight into the creative process.&nbsp; The whole short consisted of Quinn dancing alone in the studio using his interview as a voice-over narration.&nbsp; Beautifully filmed and edited.&nbsp; </P>
<P><A href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCTWckSPyMk">UA Tricks</A> directed by C.J. Sundstrom explores the world of the UA Tricks Sports Club.&nbsp; Club members consist of U of A students who develop their gymnastic "tricks."&nbsp; I learned that <A title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour">Parkour</A> is practiced in Tucson.&nbsp; I thought this technique of moving through an urban environment by getting over obstacles using vaulting, climbing, and basically anything but walking, was just a European thing.&nbsp; This documentary used very stylish, artistic cinematography and editing as well as straight documentary-style filmmaking to tell this story.&nbsp; Nice music score and impressive art direction.&nbsp; </P>
<P><B><U>Sex, Drugs, and Jumpstyle,</U></B> directed by Ari Grabb, is a mockumentary about one of the super-stars of jumpstyle dancing, Ari Grabb!&nbsp; I could tell right away that this was a Grabb film from his characteristic film style which was interlaced with his signature animation.&nbsp; It was obvious that it was tongue and cheek and the audience was rolling on the floor with laughter.&nbsp; I learned the existence of jumpstyle dancing and through my own research have realized that it is a big trend at raves, especially in Europe.&nbsp; Grabb definitely has acting talent.&nbsp; The film interlaced interviews with him and shots of him jumpdancing in various settings, some appropriate and many inappropriate.&nbsp; Great writing, good cinematography and editing.</P>
<P><B><U>Sterile Plunge</U></B> directed by Julie Etheridge was a dark investigative journalistic story about her trypanophobia, a fear of syringes, and her efforts to overcome this fear before giving blood.&nbsp; Darkly hilarious, gross and informative.&nbsp; I learned that blood donation centers do not want you to video tape what happens inside.&nbsp; Nicely organized, great dreamy-style cinematography to describe Etheridge's history with hospitals, effective guerrilla-style filmmaking and editing.&nbsp; </P>
<P><B><U>The Family Food,</U></B> directed by Ethan Moore, describes through interviews his family's vegan lifestyle and why they decided to go vegan.&nbsp; I learned how you can squeeze more food out of Chipotle's and that cancer, acid reflux and bad digestion can be relieved by a plant-based diet. &nbsp; I was also reminded and inspired to go vegan or at least start in that direction.&nbsp; Fun background music, interesting interviews and scene changes, nice cinematography and editing.</P>
<P><B><U>In Between</U></B> directed by Jackie Stubbs tells the story of her life living between her divorced parents.&nbsp; Most of the documentary consisted of interviews with her Korean mother, who she hadn't seen in two years.&nbsp; The interviews were emotionally revealing and by the end of the short, I developed a fondness for her quirky mom.&nbsp; Nice background music, nice artsy shots, nicely edited for an effective conveyance of the feeling of her mother's slower pace of life.&nbsp; A great soundtrack conveyed a variety of moods.</P>
<P><U><B><A title="" href="http://vimeo.com/34284300">Greetings</A></B></U> by Abe Zverow and Jackie Hutchinson is a heart-warming study of a Fry's grocery story greeter.&nbsp; I learned that Tucson is the home of Freddie Barrio, the best greeter out of 400 Fry's stores nationwide.&nbsp; The short shows Freddie in action, warmly greeting and taking an interest in every person who passes through the doors.&nbsp; There are great interviews with customers who are cheered up by Freddie and inspired to shop at his Fry's on the corner of Grant and 1st.&nbsp; I can tell he has a very huge heart, but a touch of sadness as well.&nbsp; Excellent subject, nice soundtrack, editing and great interviews.&nbsp; </P>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33535491">Alex Italics Investigates: Demons in the Desert</A>, directed by Alex Italics, looks like a slick TV reality show of a fake&nbsp;interview with an Arizona-based satanist.&nbsp; I did some research and found out that this interview was not fake!&nbsp; I learned that this guy, Damon Foster, does live in&nbsp;Arizona and does have an internet TV show called, <A title="" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/DamonFoster">Satanic Views</A>.&nbsp; <A title="" href="http://sites.google.com/site/damonafoster/home">He's</A> not such a bad guy either - he's nice to animals.&nbsp;&nbsp; I think Alex Italics has a good future in television.&nbsp; The beginning and ending of his show were nicely edited, had great visuals, and was very engaging.&nbsp; The body of&nbsp;the show, an&nbsp;investigation into the host of Satanic Views, was almost well-balanced.&nbsp; A rabbi was interviewed about the existence of Satan to show&nbsp;an opposing view to Foster's "satanic" view.&nbsp; This documentary was an excellently produced and immensely entertaining.</P>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33621161">Skylights</A>, directed by Jason Sikorsky and Brad Wong, tells the story of Sheila Martin, a UFO hunter who lives in Tucson.&nbsp; Sheila takes videos of her sightings and posts them on her YouTube video channel, <A title="" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Sheilaaliens?blend=1&amp;ob=video-mustangbase">Sheilaaliens</A>, which has had over 15 million hits since she started it in 2009.&nbsp; Her interview revealed&nbsp;detailed information about UFO hunting, her techniques of recording sightings, some discussion of her detractors,&nbsp;how her analysis of her sightings has matured, and her spiritual views.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I learned that there may be an alien base inside Mt. Lemon.&nbsp; Nice soundtrack, great audio, nice cinematography, nice use of her own videos.&nbsp; It was a very informative, well-balanced documentary.&nbsp;&nbsp; I liked it!</P>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33563893">Ciao Orvieto</A>, directed by Fiona Foster, at first seemed like a professional travel log of Italy, but I soon saw that it was an examination of what Foster learned about the&nbsp;different values and customs of&nbsp;Italy and how they expanded her awareness. I was reminded about how taking a break from the electronic environment and experiencing real life can be so profoundly nourishing.&nbsp; Awesome cinematography, great audio, nice camerawork and editing.&nbsp; The charming soundtrack greatly contributed to the professionalism of the production values.&nbsp; I can see this short being broadcast on TV.&nbsp; Nicely done!</P>
<P><A href="http://vimeo.com/33820122">The BIG project</A>, directed by Shon Gale, shows the creation of a student message&nbsp;board from conception to complete manifestation.&nbsp; This is not an ordinary message board, it's a place where U of A students can write out their goals and aspirations before their graduation.&nbsp; Great editing, time lapse photography, nice music score. Great cinematography clearly showing what students wrote on the boards.&nbsp; Funny, touching, and inspiring!</P>Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:56:08 +0100